The debate over Montenegro’s Sunday work ban has intensified as two opposing initiatives move forward simultaneously.
The Montenegrin Employers’ Federation (UPCG) reiterated its expectation that the Constitutional Court will declare the ban on Sunday trading unconstitutional, arguing that it restricts entrepreneurial freedom and violates free-market principles. The Court began reviewing the case in May 2025, six years after UPCG filed its constitutional challenge.
Meanwhile, the Europe Now Movement (PES) submitted a draft amendment to the Law on Internal Trade—the same article under constitutional review—seeking to reaffirm the Sunday work ban but emphasizing its public health justification.
The PES proposal cites World Health Organization research showing that working more than 55 hours per week increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, and mental health problems. The amendment’s preamble specifies that the restriction aims to protect the health of retail employees, and removes wholesale warehouses from the list of exemptions.
PES stated that keeping stores closed on Sundays is a “fair, socially responsible, and economically sound decision.” The party described the measure as a symbol of a society that respects workers’ rights and ensures rest and family time. According to PES, before the 2019 reform, retail employees faced excessive working hours, low wages, and no guaranteed day off. Since then, economic activity in the retail sector has not declined; on the contrary, turnover and profits of major chains have grown.
UPCG, on the other hand, maintains that the ban violates the constitutional principles of equality and freedom of enterprise, as several categories—such as pharmacies, gas stations, and kiosks—remain exempt. The Constitutional Court will now decide whether the restriction achieves a fair balance between the rights of entrepreneurs and the protection of public interest.
